This is a test of the D5100 video features. Shot with Nikkor 70-300VR hand held. No color grading and applied Sony Vegas Pro stabilizer on some of the footage.

Some of the thing that I need to get used to is the AE lock and the black bar on the LCD screen when enter into video mode. The black bar for the 16×9 format only come to active when record button activate. This caused some of the pre-focus / composed object got it head cut. AE lock is very important features to maintain the exposure of the footage from changing while filming.

It’s easy to control… no problem for me with the absent of manual video control. The articulating LCD screen is great and very handy to have it.

This is an outing to test my newly acquired Nikon D5100. I sold my D90 to buy this because I have the D7000 but got problem matching the color between D90 & D7000 when used them together for photography job. Since D5100 used the same sensor and the same technology (even better) as D7000, I decide to purchase this camera.

I love the color reproduction of D7000 especially on blue & red and the D5100 offers similar result. The high ISO control that I see is way better than D90 and nearly as good as D7000. Another main reason for me to buy this camera is for Video work… a backup camera for D7000, even it doesn’t have full manual control on video… but I manage to work around it.

Nikon has skimp down the control button on D5100, but from past experience with D40 & D5000, its a no biggie for me… changing setting is a breeze. I also bought The Octopus 3rd Party Battery Grip, due to it small size and my big hand. The grip fit perfectly and work flawlessly.

All and all, I satisfied with this purchase.. a recommended buy for a beginner and enthusiast alike.